Assam violence, Judeo tape issue rock Parliament

While RS witnessed uproar over the Judeo case, the issue of anti-Bihari violence in Assam rocked LS today.

While Rajya Sabha was rocked by the Judeo tape issue, large-scale violence against Biharis in Assam rocked the Lok Sabha on Wednesday forced the Speaker to adjourn the House for an hour.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed uproarious scenes over Dilip Singh Judeo tape controversy leading to its adjournment for the day.

When Kapil Sibal (Congress) rose to speak on the matter, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said he had already heard the views of Mukherjee, CPI-M leader Nilotpal Basu and Jaswant Singh.

Even as he allowed Sibal to briefly make his point, the ruling party members demanded an end to the impasse.

Expressing his helplessness to restore calm, Shekhawat adjourned the House till 1200 hours after 25 minutes of procedural wranglings.

Earlier, Mukherjee contended that it was on the recommendation of the Prime Minister that Judeo was appointed a minister and Vajpayee had directed him to resign in the wake of the tape controversy, which allegedly showed the minister receiving money.

Therefore, he said, Vajpayee should make a statement on the issue on the floor of the House.

Basu said the Government besides owing an explanation on the tape controversy, should also explain the alleged misuse of resources of Public Sector Undertakings.

Lok Sabha was adjourned for an hour over the issue of large-scale violence against Biharis in Assam.

As soon as the House assembled on Wednesday morning, Rajesh Ranjan (Ind) stormed the well saying that Question Hour be suspended and a discussion held on "killing of 300 Biharis" in Assam.

Raising the issue, Prabhunath Singh (Samata) said besides the killing of Biharis, their property was looted and police in Assam remained a "silent spectator".

"Assam Chief Minister is involved", Singh alleged, provoking loud protests from Congress benches. At one stage, Ranjan moved menacingly towards Congress benches accusing the party, which is ruling in Assam and supporting the Rabri Devi Government in Bihar of failure to take appropriate action.